Read Across America

Last week we had two special guest readers!  We counted our way through a silly adventure with Mrs. Battad and Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss.  The silly characters did some acrobatic tricks to balance their apples.  After reading this story with Mrs. Battad, students made their own apples and stacked them with their own reading goals.  Mr. Viloria  read the children Fox in Sock also by Dr. Seuss.   Fox speaks almost entirely in tongue-twisters and Knox finally understands him in the end!  What a terrific tongue-twister tale!  Mr. Viloria then taught the children how to fold their very own fox origami.  

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

In Language Arts...

• Students are learning that authors write to teach important lessons that we can apply to our own lives.  Many authors will often have a lesson in mind to teach even before the story is developed.  As good readers, it is our job to determine the central message and common theme.  We read many stories this week and last that taught us valuable lesson about teamwork, acceptance, courage, open-mindedness, and perseverance.  ​We read some all-time favorite classics and some new titles too!

• In addition, we continue to practice with author's message and retelling a story using great children's literature while addressing following standard: 2.RL.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.​

In math...

• Students practiced adding two-digit numbers to three-digit numbers that also involved regrouping in the tens place and the hundreds.  For problems like these, students were taught to use base-ten pieces alongside when adding.  By using base-ten pieces, students could see a more concrete model to help them solidify their understanding of their jumps on the number line.  Number lines will eventually lend itself to mental math strategies.  
• Students then got to practice adding three-digit numbers to three-digit numbers.  Students could choose various strategies that worked well for them.  Some strategies included base-ten drawing, number line, and adding by place value.  
• Students applied these thinking strategies when solving word problems.  

In science...

• Camp Palehua came to our classrooms for a pre visit.  We learned that too much run off from the mountains can cause damage to the ocean.  Some sediment is nutrients for sea creatures, but too much can cause invasive algae to thrive.  It was interesting learning about how outplanting on the mountains can really help slow down erosion and eventually lead to healthier soil, land, and sea life too!  We also learned about different types of soil and even got to paint with them!!!​

Reminders and announcements:

• No school from March 16-20 for Spring Break
• No school on March 26, in observance of Prince Kuhio Day 
• No school on March 27 due to a teacher PD day
• No spring break homework will be assigned besides reading log.  Please encourage life-long readers.  Provide quiet time and a variety of reading materials for your child to read during the break.  The public library is a great resource and usually has a spring reading program.  I encourage you and your child to check it out!  Please ensure your child's reading log is complete almost daily.